World Cup fans are being urged to order takeaways and not cook if they’ve been drinking as firefighters get set to strike for 24 hours.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in London, as well as the rest of England and Wales, will walk out from 9am as their row with the Government over retirement age and pensions remains in deadlock.

Services will be stripped back but brigades are set to launch contingency plans. Warnings for people to take extra care around the home, especially if they’re watching the World Cup on TV tonight, have been issued.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner, Ron Dobson said: "With the World Cup on and the FBU on strike make it your goal to get a takeaway rather than cooking drunk.

“If people cook tonight under the influence of alcohol they could be putting themselves and the people they love in danger."

The brigade said there was an increase in house fires during the last World Cup with a total of 620 during the month-long tournament - half in kitchens.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack accused the Government of refusing to negotiate over the controversial pension reforms, adding that firefighters were determined to continue with their campaign.

The union has warned that firefighters face big cuts in their pensions and working until later in life before retiring.

It’s the first 24 hour stoppage in their campaign, with another set to take place on June 22.